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Permanent LinkSenator Denver Loring Wilson View All Years
DENVER L. WILSON
MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Denver L. Wilson, begs leave to submit the following:
The Honorable Denver L. Wilson was born at Clarington, Ohio, March 17, 1867, and died March 6, 1961. He had been a resident of Shenandoah since 1901.
Senator Wilson’s parents died when he was a small boy and at the age of fourteen years he worked in central Nebraska herding cattle. He was an avid reader and his outlook on life underwent a complete change after reading a book entitled, “The Life of James A. Garfield.” He worked his way through the old Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, and was president of his class when he graduated. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from the College of Law in 1897. The story of his life, with his indomitable courage, industry and talent for leadership in his community, is an interesting one and might well serve as an inspiration to all young people.
On December 28, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora Dunbar, whom he met while teaching school at Dunbar, Nebraska, and who preceeded him in death. To them were born two children.
Mr. Wilson began his law practice in Shenandoah in 1901, where he remained in active practice until 1941. He served in the Iowa Senate from 1927 to 1931. He was a past president of the Page County Bar Association and of the Shenandoah board of education and also served on the Library board for a number of years. He was a charter member of the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce and helped to draft the constitution when it was organized.
In 1948 Mr. Wilson received a certificate naming him as a fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge. He served as exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and his activities therein included acting as superintendent of the Sunday school, teaching a men’s Bible class and serving on the board of trustees.
One of the great satisfactions he found in life was working with young people, particularly in helping and counseling with them concerning their future careers.
Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Fifty-ninth General Assembly: That in the passing of the Honorable Denver L. Wilson the State of Iowa has lost a valuable and honorable citizen and a faithful public servant whose counsel will be greatly missed.
Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread on the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an enrolled copy to his son, Ivan D. Wilson, and to his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Patty, both of Shenandoah, Iowa.
FRANK M. HOXIE,
RICHARD C. TURNER,
EDWARD A. WEARIN,
Committee.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.